Tibetan teaching assistant placements - India

Product Details

For applicants from the UK, we have a number of bursary schemes available for volunteers from a variety of backgrounds.

Our bursary scheme and funded placement projects reduce the barrier of cost for young people experiencing financial problems. They are designed to help young people who would not otherwise be able to afford to go.

For more information contact Liz McKenna on lmckenna@lattitude.org.uk

All our placements are in the hill stations of Dharamsala, Dehra Dun and Darjeeling. Volunteers will have the good luck to be working in some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes in the world. Despite the high altitude the climate is mild- not unlike the UK.

Most of the teaching is in classes of varying ages and abilities, from the very young pre-primary (usually in classes) to the adult (often in one-to-one tuition out of school hours). There is always scope for giving individual lessons and this can be very rewarding. Volunteers should enjoy communicating. Teaching in some placements may be fairly unstructured, as English takes second place to prayers and rituals, so volunteers need to be self-starters and well motivated. Friendliness, enthusiasm and resourcefulness are essential qualities. In addition to doing a one-week TEFL/Teaching Skills Course, volunteers are advised to get some teaching/assisting experience in schools before they go.

In some placements there may also be opportunities to teach other subjects, such as maths, art and drama, computer skills and basic science. In some monasteries, football and cricket are in demand and Volunteers with unusual skills (such as karate, for example) will usually find students keen to learn. All Volunteers will find it rewarding to engage in out-of-class activities, and there are plenty of opportunities for trekking and hill walking.

Opportunities for socializing in the western sense are limited but the volunteer will soon feel him/herself part of the community and especially so if he or she is interested in Tibetan Buddhism, art, culture or language. It makes sense for the volunteer to try to learn what he/she can about the culture in which he/she is living and the rewards for doing so are great.

When can I go?

September and late February. Placements last for between 4 - 5 months.

Accommodation

Host organisations provide board and lodgings, generally either in a separate room on the premises or in a flat or guesthouse a commutable distance away. Living conditions vary, though are often very basic - a bucket shower and squat toilets are the norm and if indeed available hot water is often unreliable.

Qualities / skills required

Volunteers should enjoy communicating. Some placements may be fairly unstructured, as activities can take second place to prayers and rituals. Volunteers need to be self-starters and well motivated. Friendliness, enthusiasm and resourcefulness are essential qualities. In addition to most doing a one-week TEFL/Teaching Skills Course, experience of working with children helps. You will need to be committed with a caring attitude, with ‘stickability’ and a keen sense of humour!